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AASU adding new student center

An artist's rendering of the new student life center planned for Armstrong Atlantic State University. (Special to the Savannah Morning News)

Students at Armstrong Atlantic State University are getting a new, state-of-the-art student center, with a movie theater, a coffee shop, a book store and a fully stocked food court.

And they're paying for it themselves.

Groundbreaking for the $16 million, 60,180-square-foot facility, approved recently by the state's board of regents, is scheduled for Sept. 23.

A $90 student fee is financing the project, which AASU President Tom Jones said is an important step toward expansion.

"It would not happen if it wasn't done this way," Jones said. "Privatized projects are the only way you can go with additional parking, additional housing or student centers.

"The demand for state dollars far exceeds the availability. And the allocation of those funds is almost always directed toward academic facilities."

The student center, Jones said, was earmarked as "crucial" when the university began its campus master-planning effort six years ago.

"When we were an almost entirely commuter college, we didn't need as large a student center because so many of our students were just leaving the campus after their classes," he said. "Memorial College Center, the existing facility, was adequate but very dated in terms of infrastructure."

Today, more than 850 students live on campus, with 500 more expected in the next two years.

"An expanded student body needs student life services," Jones said.

Somi Benson-Jaja, president of AASU Student Government, said the center gives people a place to hang out and socialize.

"A common place that we can call our own that's not an academic building," Benson-Jaja said. "A place where they're not testing, and we don't have to be quiet."

The two-story, as-yet-unnamed building will go up next to the existing Memorial College Center. The grand opening is scheduled for fall 2009.

Designed by the Burt Hill architectural firm, the center will be AASU's first "green" building, using rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo wood and a high-efficiency chilled water system for cooling. Recycled glass tile and concrete will be used in construction, and porticos and rooflines will deflect direct sunlight from the interior.

The color green has additional significance, Benson-Jaja said.

"The grounds at Armstrong are so nice that we can't walk on the grass and throw a Frisbee," the student leader said.

"The student center grounds will be accessible for us to play games, or kick a ball. Stuff that will address our needs for social interaction."